Where to take your old printer depends on what condition it's in and what's inside it

Old printers contain materials that shouldn't go in the trash: plastic, metal, and sometimes hazardous components like ink cartridges or toner. Your best options are a retailer take-back program, a local e-waste facility, or a refurbishment charity. Which one works depends on whether the printer still works, whether you want money for it, and what's available near you.

The fastest route is usually the place where you bought your new printer. Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot all accept old printers for free, working or broken. If you don't have a retailer nearby, your city or county runs an e-waste collection day or drop-off site — you can find it by searching "[your city] e-waste" or calling your local solid waste department.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot accept old printers for free, whether they work or not, and you can drop them off without buying anything.
  • Your city or county e-waste facility is free and will take any printer; find it by calling your local solid waste department or searching "[your city] e-waste".
  • If your printer works, Goodwill and Salvation Army will take it for donation, though they may not pick it up — you usually have to deliver it.
  • Do not put printers in curbside recycling or the trash; they contain materials that require separate handling and are often illegal to landfill.
  • Remove ink cartridges or toner before drop-off if the facility asks, and keep them separate for their own recycling stream.

Retailer take-back programs are free and require no appointment

Best Buy accepts printers at any store location with no purchase necessary. You can walk in during business hours and hand it over. Staples and Office Depot do the same. None of them charge a fee, and you don't need to call ahead or schedule a time.

These programs work whether your printer is broken, missing parts, or still functional. The retailer handles the rest — they either refurbish working units or send them to an e-waste processor. If you're buying a new printer at the same time, ask the sales associate whether they'll take the old one; many will haul it away on delivery day.

Municipal e-waste drop-off sites are the most reliable option

Every city and county in the United States runs at least one e-waste collection program, though the schedule and location vary. Some operate year-round drop-off facilities; others hold collection events once or twice a year. All of them are free.

To find yours, call your local solid waste department or search "[your city name] e-waste" plus "drop-off" or "collection day". Your county's website usually lists the address, hours, and what items they accept. Bring your printer during the posted hours — no appointment needed. If your printer is large or heavy, ask whether you can get help unloading it.

Donation to charity works only if the printer still powers on

Goodwill and Salvation Army locations accept working printers as donations. They refurbish them and sell them at low prices, or pass them to job-training programs. This is a good choice if your printer still turns on and prints, even if it's old.

The catch is that most Goodwill and Salvation Army stores do not pick up large items — you have to deliver the printer yourself. Call ahead to confirm they accept printers and whether they have space. Some locations have a donation desk; others ask you to leave items in a designated area. You'll get a receipt for tax purposes if you ask for one.

Manufacturer take-back programs exist but are less common

Some printer makers, including HP and Canon, run mail-back recycling programs. You pack the printer, print a shipping label from their website, and drop it at a UPS or FedEx location. The manufacturer handles recycling at no cost to you.

These programs are free but slower than local options — shipping takes a week or more. They work well if you have no retailer or e-waste facility nearby, or if you want to recycle a brand-name printer and prefer to keep it with the original maker. Check the manufacturer's website under "recycling" or "environmental responsibility" to see whether they offer this service.

What to do with ink cartridges and toner separately

Ink cartridges and toner cartridges should not stay inside the printer when you drop it off, unless the facility specifically says to leave them. Many e-waste sites ask you to remove them first because they handle cartridges in their own recycling stream.

Take used cartridges to an office supply store — Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot all accept them for free. Some retailers even offer a small discount on new cartridges if you bring in empties. If you have many cartridges, call ahead to confirm the store has space. Never throw cartridges in the trash or curbside recycling; they contain materials that need separate processing.

Why you cannot use curbside recycling or the trash

Printers contain plastic, metal, circuit boards, and sometimes hazardous materials like lead solder or mercury switches. Curbside recycling programs are not equipped to separate these safely, and landfills are not permitted to accept them in most states. Putting a printer in either stream is illegal in many jurisdictions and creates environmental and worker safety problems.

The only legal routes are a retailer, an e-waste facility, a manufacturer program, or a charity that refurbishes electronics. If you're unsure whether your local trash service accepts printers, call them directly — they can tell you what's allowed in your area and point you to the nearest e-waste drop-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a printer in curbside recycling?

No. Printers contain materials that curbside programs cannot process safely, and it is illegal to put them in curbside bins in most places. Use a retailer, e-waste facility, or manufacturer program instead.

Do I have to remove the ink cartridges before dropping off the printer?

Check with the facility first. Some e-waste sites ask you to remove cartridges so they can recycle them separately; others say to leave them in. Call ahead or ask when you arrive. If you remove them, take the cartridges to an office supply store for their own recycling program.

Will Best Buy or Staples take a printer that doesn't work?

Yes. Both retailers accept broken printers at no charge. You do not need to buy anything or make an appointment. Walk in during business hours and ask an associate where to drop it off.

How much does it cost to recycle a printer at the city e-waste facility?

It is free. All municipal e-waste programs are funded by local taxes or manufacturer recycling fees, not by user charges. You pay nothing to drop off a printer.

Can I get money for my old printer?

Not through most recycling programs — they are free because the printer has no resale value. If your printer is recent, in good condition, and still works, you might sell it on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay, but most older printers are worth very little. Donation to Goodwill or Salvation Army is usually the better choice.